About CKUT

THE STATION

CKUT is a non-profit, campus-community radio station based at McGill University. CKUT provides alternative music, news and spoken word programming to the city of Montreal and surrounding areas, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hear us at 90.3 MHz on the FM dial, 91.7 by cable, or listen on-line. CKUT is made up of over 200 volunteers working with a staff of coordinators, not just to make creative and insightful radio programming, but also to manage the station. The station operates on a collective management system that includes volunteers in decision-making.

As a campus/community radio station, CKUT’s mandate is to provide an essential service to those in the Montreal community whose needs are not met by mainstream commercial radio. CKUT functions not only as an alternative to the status quo, but also as a viable community resource. CKUT serves as a training ground for the community and student populations, and in doing so, provides an essential educational and information service to the greater Montreal community.

VOLUNTEERS

CKUT volunteers program shows, announce, produce documentaries, conduct interviews, participate on committees, raise money, write radio dramas, solicit music and generally make CKUT what it is. The station wouldn’t exist without the energy and talent of volunteers from across Montreal’s and McGill’s communities.

Becoming a volunteer can be a life-altering experience. The station holds regular orientations every first Thursday of the month at noon, 3pm and 6pm to introduce newcomers to the possibilities of campus-community radio. CKUT offers training and experience in everything you need to know about radio production. We have an open door policy when it comes to solid ideas, and can help deliver yours to the airwaves.

DEPARTMENTS

Programming

The programming department keeps CKUT rooted to its mandate and your ears. Working with both seasoned radio types and newcomers, the department helps develop ear-tingling programming through community contacts and radio skills building. Keeping music and spoken word resources in check and flowing is also a top priority for these departments (we take great pride in our kick-ass library).

Music Department

CKUT’s music programming emphasizes the uncommon, the new, and the daring. We have a variety of specialized music programs as well as open format programs that span many musical genres. DJs make their own musical selections, without the aid of a playlist, choosing from recordings sent to CKUT by artists and record companies around the world as well as from their own private collections. Key players: Music Coordinator, Music Library Coordinator, Volunteers.

Arts and Culture Department

Arts and Culture department brings more then talk radio to the airwaves! Cultural programming is produced and coordinated by individuals and groups of the community-at-large, McGill University communities, montreal based artists, activists and more. The content is created by and for the community of programmers involved and with constant aim to outreach to more audiences and groups in Montreal and Beyond.

Production

The production department creates CKUT’s unique sound. It takes an idea and transforms it into a sonic masterpiece. The department produces most of the station’s ads and provides technical assistance on-air and in the studio for recording interviews as well as in-studio performances. The production department trains aspiring “voices” and tape heads and also has the daunting task of keeping all of the station’s equipment in check! Key Players: Production Coordinator and Volunteers.

Sales

The sales department handles all station advertising, including scripts, production and scheduling. CKUT specialises in getting a client’s message to specific, attentive audiences at very reasonable rates. The department is plugged in to many different communitites and knows how to access them on a client’s behalf. Check out advertising for more information and rates. Key players: Sales Coordinator, Accountant.

Fundraising and Outreach

The fundraising department is all about tapping into community support and finding creative ways of keeping the station not only running, but constantly improving itself. It coordinates the station’s annual funding drive: a 10 day, on-air effort which invites listeners to call in and support CKUT by pledging money towards their favorite shows. The department also coordinates year-round benefit events and other station fundraising activities such as grant applications, general promotions, etc. With the help of two McGill work-study students, the fundraising and outreach department works closely with McGill students, coordinates events and workshops on McGill campus, etc. Key players: Fundraising Coordinator, McGill Events Coordinator, McGill Outreach Coordinator, Volunteers.